Hajj: journey to the heart of Islam
26 January – 15 April 2012
Reading Room
Admission charge
Hajj: journey to the heart of Islam will be the first major exhibition dedicated to the Hajj; the pilgrimage to Mecca which is central to the Muslim faith. The exhibition will examine the significance of the Hajj as one of the Five Pillars of Islam, exploring its importance for Muslims and looking at how this spiritual journey has evolved throughout history. It will bring together a wealth of objects from a number of different collections including important historic pieces as well as new contemporary art works which reveal the enduring impact of Hajj across the globe and across the centuries. The exhibition will examine three key strands: the pilgrim’s journey with an emphasis on the major routes used across time (from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East); the Hajj today, its associated rituals and what the experience means to the pilgrim; and Mecca, the destination of Hajj, its origins and importance.
It is laid down in the Qur’an that it is a sacred duty for Muslins everywhere if they are able to make the journey to Mecca at least once in their lives. This pilgrimage takes place during the last month of the Islamic year, know as Dhu’l Hijja. It was at Mecca that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) received the first revelations in the early 7th century, and therefore the city has long been viewed as the spiritual centre of Islam. At the heart of the sanctuary at Mecca lies the Ka’ba, the cube-shaped buliding that Muslims believe was built by Abraham and his son Ishmael. The rituals involved with Hajj have remained unchanged since its beginning, and it continues to be a powerful religious undertaking which draws Muslims together from all over the world, irrespective of nationality or sect.
A wide variety of objects will be lent to the exhibition. Loans include significant material from major public and private collections in the UK and around the world, among them the British Library and the Khalili Family Trust. These objects will evoke and dcument the long and perilous journey associated with the pilgrimage, gifts offered to the sanctuary as acts of devotion and souvenirs that are brough back from Hajj. They will include archaeological material, manuscripts, textiles, historic photographs and contemporary art. The Hajj jas a deep emotional and spiritual significance for Muslims, and continues to inspire a wide range ot personal, literary and artistic responses, many of which will be explored throughout the exhibition.
This exhibition concludes the British Museum’s series of three exhibitions focused on spiritual journeys.
In partnership with King Abdulaziz Public Library, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
HSBC Amanah has supported the exhibition’s international reach outside the KIngdom of Saudi Arabia.
Tickets are now on sale. To book tickets please visit www.britishmuseum.org/hajjor phone +44 (0)20 7323 8181
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Opening hours 10.00-17.30 Saturday to Thursday, 10.00-20.30 Fridays. The exhibition runs between 26 January – 15 April 2012
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Admission charge £12, children under 16 and Members free plus a range of concessions including group rates. Tickets are available to book through the box office by calling 020 7323 8181 or online at www.britishmuseum.org/hajj. A full public programme will accompany the exhibition. More information is available from the press office
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An accompanying catalogue will be published by British Museum Press: Hajj; journey to the heart of Islam, is edited by Venetia Porter and features contributions by leading scholars, paperback £25An accompanying catalogue will be published by British Museum Press: Hajj; journey to the heart of Islam, is edited by Venetia Porter and features contributions by leading scholars, paperback £30.
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HSBC Cultural Exchange is the bank’s global cultural sponsorship programme. As an international bank working with clients across more than 80 countries worldwide, HSBC encourages the exchange of ideas across different cultures to generate and strengthen international business relationships. Since its launch in 2008 HSBC’s Cultural Exchange programme has embraced culture in its widest sense in more than 25 countries – from fine art to cuisine, from language and literature to dance, street arts and all forms of music.www.hsbc.com/culturalexchange
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Arts and Humanities Research Council award. The British Museum has been awarded an AHRC grant to support the research for the exhibition and accompanying publication. The outcomes will include an academic conference on Hajj and a collaboration with the Department of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Leeds to explore British Muslim communities’ experiences of Hajj.
Assalamu Aleykum,
Thank you very much for sharing, I don't want to miss this one.I'll go to London for a week end and will definitely pass by the british museum InshALLAH!
Wa alaikum Asalaam
InshAllah am hoping to check it out. Hubby is planning on going hajj next year so will be good to go see the exhibition
Jazakallah Khairan for sharing this.